I perk up when the blue Dragonborn walked through the door, seeing the present moon of Selune on his shield. He must be one of the healers in the fighting ring. He could be fun to fight though. He looks like he knows what he's doing. My eyes glazed over the acolytes. They wouldn't put up enough of a fight to be worth it.

Your eminence, what a pleasure to have you with us tonight!

I glanced at Styx and whispered, Can you do that trick again on this guy? He seems pretty important and from Ognib's expression, he doesn't come here often.

My gaze lingered on the fat man, looking for anything distinguishing what his position here could be.

Perception: 11
This message was last edited by the player at 02:47, Tue 21 July 2020.

It appears we have a while before things start next door so I pass the time with idle conversation with my companions. Esa has settled down for the moment and is drowsing peacefully on the top shelf behind the bar when the door crashes open jolting her awake and I turn to see the what the commotion is.

The procession of Selunites is interesting: two humans, a half-elf, and a big armoured Dragonborn. He seems to be guarding the fat man with the ostentatious clothing. Are theses the healers Ognib mentioned for the fight?

A loud hiss sounds to my right and I turn back to the bar to see Esa sitting up on her perch, back arched, glaring at the fat man as he talks with the Gnome. "I want the large, fleshy one."

I turn back to eye the group, other than Ognib doting on the man I cannot see anything that would cause such a strong reaction in her. In over twenty years together I have never seen the like.

"I understand you want him but I'm not sure I can do it. You know the rules, I won't just kill someone because you're hungry I need more than that."

I look over his entourage again noting how the Dragonborn's eyes rove the room; thorough if disinterested, a man doing a boring task because he has too not because he thinks it's
 necessary. That might help.

"You know I want to help you but I can't beat these odds in a straight fight and there's little chance the others will help me if I throw down! I'll do it if its really important to you but you need to decide if this is worth my life. Are you willing to risk that the next person down the line will go along with you?"

Her tail lashes behind her and she flicks her ears at me, "Then we must look for another way."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:27, Tue 21 July 2020.

These Dwarven Spirits are really going down smooth.  They must be hitting me hard though, because I swear I just saw a fucking Dragon walk in the door.  What the hell is following him, his next meal?  Oh wait, shit, are they really all followers of Selune? What are they doing HERE?  Are they checking up on me?  No, that doesn't make any sense.

I think the Dwarven Ale is inhibiting my ability to really understand what the hell they are doing here. Are they checking up on me?  No, that doesn't make any sense.  Wait, I already asked myself that, didn't I?  Not sure why I'm talking to myself.

I try to pull myself together.

Sorry Kali, I'm fucking hammered.  These ales are fanfriggintastic by the way.  We should probably order more.  Wait...you asked me something. Oh, yeah, I'm not going to be a help at all, if that isn't blatantly obvious.  The only tricks right now, are the ones my eyes are playing on me.  Is that really a fucking dragon?

I try to pull myself together again, this time, thinking about what Selune expects from me.  I stand up and approach his eminence, careful to do so slowly, partially because of the drinking and partially because I don't want the dragon to eat me.  I'd be quite tasty.

It's a pleasure to meet you your eminemence.  I am Styx.  I myself am also a follower of Selune, and as you can see from her crescent symbol on my gloves, she guides my hands with her grace.  We've just shipped in, so I'm unfamiliar, but is Selune prominented here in the city?

My apologies.  Our friend Bingo has been kind enough to make us his honored guests, though not as honored as you of course, but the ale has been flowing quickly and I may have partaken too much in excitement for this evening's activities.  She made me do it though.  Styx points at Kali, mistakenly poking her in the head with his finger while doing so.

Insight: 6
Persuasion: 14 (if needed)

I smack Styx's hand since he just poked me in his inebriated state. I have a feeling I'm going to end up in many a bar fight if I travel with Styx for long.

Sit down before you make a fool of yourself. I made you do no such thing and watch what you're doing, would ya?

I hear it before I look over, the table scraping along the floor as he rises. There he is, the Bugbear has began actually approaching the priest and the gnome. It doesn't take a genius to see he's desperately trying to keep himself together. It's having the opposite effect as he appears even more drunk. Must be the Dwarven ale or something similar, I hear it has that effect on people or even Bugbears.

That's close enough my large friend...

I start to move to intercept him, he yammering on about Selune and following her as he pokes the Tiefling in the head, much to her displeasure. Before I can meet him she grabs his arm and gives him a stern talking to and he starts to backs down. I relax and step back, taking it all in. Looks like I figured out who wears the pants in this friendship.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:46, Tue 21 July 2020.

As Styx sits back down, perhaps a little clumsily, appeasing the annoyed Kali, he says:

All right, all right Kali, don't get your horns in a twist.  You can't make a fool of yourself if you don't care, now can you?

She was right though and he did care.  Especially when it came to those that followed Selune.  He wouldn't want any of his actions to come between him and his goddess and now this evening was turning out to be more important than he ever expected.  He needed to get his shit together.

Scanning the tavern, he spots the young waitress.

Lissy, would you be a dear and fetch me a pitcher of water please?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:47, Tue 21 July 2020.

Hearing Styx call for a pitcher of water from Lissy, I wondered how much he really believed he didn’t care what others thought of him. Just a few minutes ago he had wanted us to drink more of the dwarven ales. It wasn’t really my place to be concerned with, but it would be if he made me look bad. I wanted to leave a good impression on the people in charge of this fighting ring. It could be an easy way to make some quick cash later on.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Tue 21 July 2020.

Okay first things first, I need more information. Esa knows my scruples but she doesn't share them; I don't want to kill someone just cause he rubs her the wrong way! Alright the fat guy is occupied with Ognib and looking at him I doubt he will want to talk to a common sailor. Who will be the most likely to give me some information? The acolytes might; depends on how happy they are with their boss. Hmm, I think I will hold off on them for the moment. The Dragonborn then.

I stand up from the table and move towards him, making sure to be in his line-of-sight well before I reach him. Do not want him to think I'm trying to sneak up on anyone. "Evening Sir. Do you have a moment?"

As I watch the Tiefling guide the Bugbear back to their table he seems a bit more at ease. The Half-Elf rises and slowly approaches, his eyes trail from the priest, to the acolytes, finally resting in me. He approves and asks for a moment of my time, time is something I have an abundance of to be honest. I move to ask the priest if I may step away but I am greeted with a dismissive wave of his hand, as he is far to deep in his conversation with the gnome to even give me a moment. I don’t even hide my disdain. I reorient my emotions as I turn toward the Half-Elf.

Apparently I do good sir. How may I help you?

I move my hand and offer an aside facing away from the table and my associates. At least someone new and I certain interesting.

"I haven't been in town long and I don't know what's been happening here but things have been quiet. I'm surprised to find that there priest needs himself a bodyguard, let alone one such as you, just to come to a tavern. Are things so bad round here that the holy folk are in danger?" I give him my best concerned expression and try to mimic the speech patterns of the most uneducated sailors I have met.

Out of the corner of my eyes I can see Esa roll her eyes.

Styx almost made a fool of himself as he approached the High Priest of Selune, slurring his words and nearly pocking Kali on a horn. The man, almost 2 feet less than the bugbear, still managed to look him down and said in a prim condescending voice.

If you are following Selune, you should know that She’s everywhere Her divine light shines. Once you have sobered up, you can come worship Her in our temple on the hill before the castle.

Disinteresting himself of the rogue, he turned his attention to Ognib, that led him towards the back, the two speaking in a low voice. The male acolyte dismissively waved the dragonborn away when he came to ask if there was something else he needed to do, as the half elf took a bulging bag with tinkling sounds coming from it and followed the fat man.

Lissy arrived with a pitcher of water at the quartets table before moving out answering another client, her moves graceful and economical. But there was something off at the table… Wind was nowhere to be found.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:18, Wed 22 July 2020.

There was definitely something wrong with this picture.  If his time with Selune had taught him anything, it was that the clerics of Selune and their tenets were that of practicing humility and frugality.  Being in the service of Selune was to be accepting of all as equals, compassionate and understanding to all those in need.

This one so lavishly dressed and traveling in the name of Selune to such a place to make bets, made me believe that there is something off with this one.

I drank about half a pitcher of water and was already feeling better, my head clearing as the Dwarven ale leaving my system as quickly as it came.

As I started to stand up, Kali gave me a glare like, where the fuck are you going now? I did my best to reassure her: I'm fine Kali and feeling better already.  I'm going to head over and talk with Ersin and that Dragon fellow.  By the way, Wind is missing.  Can't believe you lost her.  I smile as I walk away, completely unconcerned that Wind was missing.

I head over to where Ersin and the Dragon are standing.

I hope I'm not interrupting anything Ersin, but I was hoping to join in, as I have a couple questions as well for our friend here.  I'm Styx, a pleasure to meet you.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:17, Wed 22 July 2020.

Fuck! Shit! Damn! I did not expect Styx to jump in! Just got to keep going and hope he doesn't screw me. Esa's giggling isn't helping either.

"Not at all Styx come on over." I say shooting the Bugbear a wide smile at waving at him before turning back to the Dragonborn. "This here is my mate Styx, he knows a whole lot more about church people than me. And city people. And business people. Well I guess just people!"

Good to meet you Styx, as I was about to explain to your friend. The Temple of Selune is doing well and is prospering.

I leans in closer to them and drops my voice.

The priest has no real need of me. I am to keep away the common rabble and to maintain his appearance. As followers of Selune you know how she views excess and extravagance. I am merely part of the priest’s show.

I move back away from them, smiling. Normally I would not share this information with anyone but to be brushed away by both the priest and the acolytes has put me in a foul and sharing mood.

Thanks Ersin, I appreciate it.

Yes, that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about...I'm sorry, I don't think I ever got your name?

Know, that as a follower of Selune myself, I noticed the very same things you've mentioned, however, how can a cleric of such prominence boldly not follow her tenets?  While I don't know everything, gambling, while representing her, seems like a slap in the face if you ask me.

May I ask, why do you accept this without any recourse?  You seem to represent her well and justly, while your priest mocks her with his show of extravagance.

Esa has never responded to any person as strongly as that priest. Hmm, I wonder.

"Well Sir I don't know nothing about that; but are you one of them holy knights? You know, the ones who can cast spells and whack people with a sword! I heard they can tell when weird shit is happening, like they can sense evil. I thought that was cool and always wanted to see one do it!"

"Really?"

"I know I'm laying it on pretty thick but they are leaving. This might get me some backup!"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:40, Wed 22 July 2020.

I turn my head back and forth with the sudden barrage of questions. Since he approached me first I’ll start with the Half-Elf, Ersin the Bugbear called him.

I’m not sure what your implying, good sir. I am a Paladin of her most holy Selune. As for casting spells to detect the presence of evil, which I assume is what you meant, we are in The Spitting Mermaid, I assume everyone here is evil. Yourselves included, no offense.

I turn to the Bugbear.

My name is Torinn-ra Orinth-a Barath-ra Erath-thu Selune-tha, but you may call me Torinn if that’s easier, and he is a priest not a cleric. He pontificates well but cannot perform the rituals.

I grit my teeth, trying to hold back the frustration in that sentence.

Yes, he is extravagant and makes some or many poor choices but they are his choices to make. He will have to face her holiness in the end. As will we all. My soul is clean, his is not, how is yours?

As the dragonborn was dishing out his frustration over his position to the two new arrivals, which he figured would soon forget all about this, a little commotion occurred near the end of the bar. Two men were accusing each other of having spilled the other’s drink and Ognib excused himself to the priest, running over to resolve this situation, the Selunite priest and half elven acolyte impatiently waiting for the dispute to end, so they could get away from the common rabble.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:18, Wed 22 July 2020.

"How dare you sir, that is hurtful! You don't even know me and here I am trying to be all nice to you. What would your Seldune think of such behaviour? Very well, I challenge you, prove that us all here are evil. Do your woogie stuff and prove it!" I work to put as much indignation as I can into my voice.

"Woogie stuff?"

"Oh, shut up!"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Wed 22 July 2020.

Ah Torinn. Thank you.

While I can understand those are his choices to make, it's against the tenets of Selune.  He should be called out on his digressions.  So, should he run around murdering people right on main street, that is acceptable, because only her holiness will judge him?  No, because the local militia would do something about it.  But aren't you the militia of the church per se?  Isn't it your job to ensure this shouldn't happen?  It seems your soul isn't as clean as you make it out to be Torinn.  Turning a cheek to what is happening in your position comes off as cowardice.  I'm not implying that, just an observation.

I raise my head up to the sky and say a small prayer. True this was unlike most evening here but now I have to prove my abilities to the Half-Elf and explain myself to some Bugbear. I kind of miss the quiet of being ignored. Where is that Tiefling when I suddenly need her. I turn back to Ersin...

I meant no offense to begin with, I don’t know you. You are in a place that has a notorious reputation. As the bodyguard of the priest I have to assume everyone is out to get him. Whether it’s true or not, so I apologize. As for the spell, I really don’t have what I need to show it even if I wanted to. Sorry for insulting your honor.

I slowly turns toward the Bugbear. I feel a little bad about insulting the Half-Elf but not for what I’m about to say to the Bugbear.

Cowardice? You speak of things you hardly understand. Does it bother me that the priest lives extravagantly using the donations give to Selune? Of course. Does it infuriate me that he gambled away the tithes that I have given to my goddess? Unquestionably. Is there much I can do about it? Hardly. He is the highest ranking member of the temple I’ve been assigned to, if I challenge him publicly it is his word against mine and he’s paid off most members of the church and civic leaders. So what exactly would that get me. Excommunicated, that what it gets me. How am I to serve glorious Selune if I cannot even stand it her halls, care for her people? Would he followers trust the exiled Dragon-man? Flowery words sound good but you see not the end of that road. I have, I do the best I can to help her people and if I have to turn my head to his choices I will. Justice will come for him soon or later. Do no judge me Styx, you do not even know me.

With that I push my way past them, not towards to priest but in a neutral direction, away from both. I hide my eye roll as much as I can. This is what I need tonight?

Well shit. Good to know that one keeps his brain separate from his scabbard; that might be important later.

"You could have just asked him to do it?" Esa mutters still glaring at the fatman.

"And how do I explain my suspicions to him?" Esa just flicks her ears at me. I thought so.

So from the sounds of it the guy is a douchebag and thoroughly corrupt but is that enough. He is a criminal but I prefer to stick with murderers or rapists. I still need more information.

I wonder what's in the bag? If its bad enough to get Big Blue over there to sit this out that would be good. And maybe it'll make me feel better about this.

I look over at Styx;he seems to feel something is off about the priest too. Maybe he would help. "Hey Styx, I'm getting a sense that something is very off about that priest. Are you interested in doing a little snooping?"

Damnit, Wind. I just have a feeling you are going to get yourself into trouble. While I would like to get a closer look at that Dragonborn, to snuss out his ability to fight, I believe he will likely keep Styx occupied long enough he won't need my supervision for long enough to find you. I get up from the table we were all sitting at look around the bar, trying to spot the Wind in the crowd.

Perception: 12

Remembering his affinity for heights, I look up and find Wind in one of the rafters. I groaned audibly. This cat is going to be the death of me. I am not a nanny!

I walked over to the base of the rafter and yelled over the din of the tavern to Wind, Wind, what are you doing up there? Come down now! We have to head over to the fighting ring soon. We should all stick together so no one gets left behind.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:10, Thu 23 July 2020.

Ognib had finally managed to calmed the 2 customers, the bouncer going back to its stool near the entrance. The half elf had deposited the bag on the ground during the altercation and was getting ready to pick it up, as the gnome came back to the priest, a drink that look expensive in his hand, that he offered to the fat man. Taking it without even a thank you, he took a large swig of it, as Ognib cringed, knowing how fine this elven liqueur was.

That was when that another point of interest occurred, as Kali yelled at Wind to get down from the main beam of the roof, attracting the attention of the patrons seated at the few tables around her.

Wind was having fun studying the humans from his perch and had even started to befriend a squirrel that lived up there when the strong voice of the tiefling reached him, making his ears twitch.

But the view from up here is much more fun! Did you know that this man over there is hiding a bald spot under that hair?

He pointed strait at the fat priest, speaking loudly enough to be heard by both his shipmate and half the inn, including the Selunite delegation, enticing nervous laughs from some patrons, quickly shushed by other, looking fearfully at the glaring priest.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:49, Thu 23 July 2020.

Styx smiled to himself.  The confession he needed to confirm his suspicions...at least some of them.  He knew the guy was crooked, but there was still something more...

As Torinn pushed past him, he put his hand on his shoulder, lightly, to show he was not forcing anything by it and said:

You are right Torinn, Cowardice is something I will never understand.

Please know that I'm not judging you, though I know it sounds that way, I just want you to see that you have more power over the situation than you might think.  You are obviously unhappy with your position, with whom you protect, and there is always a way to serve Selune and in this case, it's by bringing him down.  That is what is best in Selune's eyes and I think you've known that all along.  This may sound crazy, but help us stop him, not for me, but for Selune and all those he dishonors by what he does.  You know that if you do the right thing, Selune will always be with you, as she is with me.

What do you say, will you join Ersin and I in uncovering what is going on?  If you're worried about how you might come out in this, just help us, without performing the deed itself.  Is there any information you can tell us that we don't already know about him?

Let's get to snooping Ersin.  You know I'm definitely in.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:36, Thu 23 July 2020.